Red-light camera troubles continue to mount in Volusia, Flagler

Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 1:49 p.m.

DELAND -- City officials expected to have red-light cameras up and running by now, but they may shelve those plans -- at least temporarily.

City commissioners will vote Monday night to terminate their contract with a vendor after repeated delays in installing the red-light cameras at three intersections, Woodland Boulevard and U.S. 92, Amelia Avenue and U.S. 92, and Woodland Boulevard and Taylor Road.

DeLand isn't the only city to run into problems with the controversial cameras.

Palm Coast was sued in 2009 as part of a class-action lawsuit after a motorist there was cited for turning right on red without stopping. The city and attorney Jason Weisser have been discussing a settlement.

In Daytona Beach, city officials say revenues from red-light cameras are coming in way under the $3 million projected for this budget year.

Besides Palm Coast and Daytona Beach, Holly Hill also has cameras. Other cities around the country, including Houston and Los Angeles, have taken theirs down.

Supporters say the cameras save lives, but opponents argue the cameras are more about generating revenue than preventing accidents.

If DeLand commissioners cancel their contract Monday with Sensys America Inc., it won't necessarily put an end to the cameras. City Attorney Darren Elkind said the ordinance authorizing red-light cameras would remain on the city's books.

But City Manager Michael Pleus said it might be in the city's best interest to wait before deciding whether to move forward with the cameras and look for another vendor.

Pleus said he wants to make sure the Florida Legislature doesn't try to raise its share of each citation. Red-light-camera citations cost motorists $158, with $83 from each citation going to the state. The fine increases to $254 if the motorist doesn't pay in 60 days.

"We might want to wait a few more weeks to see where the Legislature goes on this," he said.

Pleus said he would have a hard time recommending the camera program if the amount of revenue received by the city was not enough to cover operating costs. The city's contract with Sensys, for example, called for the city to pay the company $4,500 a month to operate the system.

Unlike other municipalities that count on the camera revenue for their budgets, DeLand didn't expect to make money.

"We never projected this as a revenue enhancement for the city," Pleus said.

Palm Coast, which was the first city in Volusia or Flagler counties to install the cameras, has collected $1.35 million for its streets-improvement fund since the cameras were switched on in July 2008, according to figures from last fall. On top of that, American Traffic Solutions, the vendor that supplies the cameras, has collected about $562,280. The city has sent $235,720 to the state for its cut.

In DeLand, city officials started investigating red-light cameras more than four years ago but postponed any action until the state adopted uniform rules in 2010.

Last June, commissioners gave approval for Sensys America to install cameras to monitor five approaches at the three intersections. But the company told city officials that it had problems getting the necessary permits to install the cameras on state right of way.

"Before there was any major cost to anybody, we just decided to terminate the contract," said City Commissioner Leigh Matusick, who served on the committee that helped select the vendor. "We were expecting things done in a certain amount of time."

City Commissioner Phil Martin said he voted against the ordinance authorizing the cameras, but he believes a majority of the commission still supports the idea.

"It does save lives," said Martin, who said he opposed the cameras when the state decided to take a portion of the fine, raising concerns that the city might not break even. "We are not looking to make money."

The City Commission meets Monday at 7 p.m. in the commission chambers, DeLand City Hall, 120 S. Florida Ave.

<p><p>DELAND -- City officials expected to have red-light cameras up and running by now, but they may shelve those plans -- at least temporarily. </p></p><p><p>City commissioners will vote Monday night to terminate their contract with a vendor after repeated delays in installing the red-light cameras at three intersections, Woodland Boulevard and U.S. 92, Amelia Avenue and U.S. 92, and Woodland Boulevard and Taylor Road. </p></p><p><p>DeLand isn't the only city to run into problems with the controversial cameras. </p></p><p><p>Palm Coast was sued in 2009 as part of a class-action lawsuit after a motorist there was cited for turning right on red without stopping. The city and attorney Jason Weisser have been discussing a settlement. </p></p><p><p>In Daytona Beach, city officials say revenues from red-light cameras are coming in way under the $3 million projected for this budget year. </p></p><p><p>Besides Palm Coast and Daytona Beach, Holly Hill also has cameras. Other cities around the country, including Houston and Los Angeles, have taken theirs down. </p></p><p><p>Supporters say the cameras save lives, but opponents argue the cameras are more about generating revenue than preventing accidents. </p></p><p><p>If DeLand commissioners cancel their contract Monday with Sensys America Inc., it won't necessarily put an end to the cameras. City Attorney Darren Elkind said the ordinance authorizing red-light cameras would remain on the city's books. </p></p><p><p>But City Manager Michael Pleus said it might be in the city's best interest to wait before deciding whether to move forward with the cameras and look for another vendor. </p></p><p><p>Pleus said he wants to make sure the Florida Legislature doesn't try to raise its share of each citation. Red-light-camera citations cost motorists $158, with $83 from each citation going to the state. The fine increases to $254 if the motorist doesn't pay in 60 days. </p></p><p><p>"We might want to wait a few more weeks to see where the Legislature goes on this," he said. </p></p><p><p>Pleus said he would have a hard time recommending the camera program if the amount of revenue received by the city was not enough to cover operating costs. The city's contract with Sensys, for example, called for the city to pay the company $4,500 a month to operate the system. </p></p><p><p>Unlike other municipalities that count on the camera revenue for their budgets, DeLand didn't expect to make money. </p></p><p><p>"We never projected this as a revenue enhancement for the city," Pleus said. </p></p><p><p>Palm Coast, which was the first city in Volusia or Flagler counties to install the cameras, has collected $1.35 million for its streets-improvement fund since the cameras were switched on in July 2008, according to figures from last fall. On top of that, American Traffic Solutions, the vendor that supplies the cameras, has collected about $562,280. The city has sent $235,720 to the state for its cut. </p></p><p><p>In DeLand, city officials started investigating red-light cameras more than four years ago but postponed any action until the state adopted uniform rules in 2010. </p></p><p><p>Last June, commissioners gave approval for Sensys America to install cameras to monitor five approaches at the three intersections. But the company told city officials that it had problems getting the necessary permits to install the cameras on state right of way. </p></p><p><p>"Before there was any major cost to anybody, we just decided to terminate the contract," said City Commissioner Leigh Matusick, who served on the committee that helped select the vendor. "We were expecting things done in a certain amount of time." </p></p><p><p>City Commissioner Phil Martin said he voted against the ordinance authorizing the cameras, but he believes a majority of the commission still supports the idea. </p></p><p><p>"It does save lives," said Martin, who said he opposed the cameras when the state decided to take a portion of the fine, raising concerns that the city might not break even. "We are not looking to make money." </p></p><p><p>The City Commission meets Monday at 7 p.m. in the commission chambers, DeLand City Hall, 120 S. Florida Ave. </p></p><p><p><i>--Reporter Frank Fernandez contributed to this report. </i></p></p><p><b>SPECIAL REPORT:</b> <a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/reports/red-light-cameras.html">Red-light Cameras</a></p><p>-----</p>